I certainly was performing before my writing was published, because I was performing when I was very young. And the thing is I'm very comfortable on stage, so a large portion of my act did come from ad-libs.

I started doing radio pieces with no clear, preconceived idea, except that I have a tendency to be theatrical.

Sitting with a deck of cards in your hand all day is an obsession. Visiting print shops and bookstores and libraries is an obsession. And writing about this is an obsession. I think, in general, most collectors are obsessed. I think the only form of a rationalized greed is when you're collecting something you are supposedly serious about.

Theft annoys me more than anything else. The purloining of effects from another magician. Some people think it's massive to steal the secrets of nuclear reactors, but to steal a card move is trivial. They're wrong.

I like being fooled. When I watch someone who does sleight-of-hand and fools me, it's a great feeling.

I think a lot of people just assumed I came to L.A. to do more television and get into show business.

Magic is a powerful art that can support a weak performer.